Wall paper hanging apparatus



,Aug. 14, 1956 T. R. WYNN WALL PAPER HANGING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Nov. 12, 1953 INVENTOR. TED R. WYNN BY My $422 ATTORNEYS Aug. 14,1956 T. R. WYNN I 2,758,738

WALL PAPER HANGING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 12, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IHIHIHI IIIIIII I INVENTOR.

TED R. WYNN BY 19 7' TORNE Y5 United States Patent WALL FAPER HANGINGAPPARATUS Ted R. Wynn, Birmingham, Ala. Application November 12, 1953',Serial No. 391,465

12 Claims. c1. 216-6) This invention relates to wall paper hangingapparatus and is an improvement over thatv described and claimed in myco-pending. applications for patent, Serial No. 222,429 filed April 23.,1951, which matured into Patent No. 2,662,657 on December 15, 1953, andSerial No. 227,866 filed May 23, 1951, which matured into Patent No.2,662,658 on- December 15, 1953 An object of my invention is to providepaper hanging apparatus embodying improved means for applyingv the pasteto the paper whereby the paste is not pressed outwardly of the outeredges of the paper.

Another object of my invention is to provide paper hanging apparatusincluding improved means for steadying the same. against the surface tobe papered and at the same time preventing the apparatus from pressingthe paper against the surface to be papered.

A further object of my invention is to provide paper hanging apparatusembodying a paste container, an endless mesh belt mounted tor rotationwith a portion thereof below the surface of the paste in the containerand constructed to provide uniform tension without stretching orshrinking under various operating conditions.

A A further object of my invention is to provide means for applyinguniform quantities of paste to the paper as it passes through theapparatus.

A further object of my invention is to provide improved means fortrimming the paper together with means for adjusting the apparatuswhereby it will accommodate paper of different widths.

A still further object of my invention is to provide apparatus of thecharacter designated having handle means adapting tlie apparatus for usein various operat ing positions, such as applying the paper to. wallsand ceilings of rooms or for use in applying paste to strips of paper. 4Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illust'r'ated in theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig.1 is a front elevational view of the ap aratus, partly broken awayand in section;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken generally along the line II-II of Fig.1; I I

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan View of one end or the apparatus; and V cFig. 4 is a plan view showing the handle member removed from theapparatus and drawn to a smaller scale.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of myinvention, I show a frame comprising side Walls and 11' spaced apart bya paste container 12. The paste container is substantially U-shaped asviewed in cross section and comprises vertically extendingwalls 13'and'14' and a curved bottom portion 16.

' The ends of. the U-shap'edpaste container are secured to the sidewalls 10 and 11, by any suitable me'ans' su'ch as welding; to form afluid tight joint therewith. The portionoftheside walls 10 and 11 at theend ofthe paste container thus form thee'nd walls for the'paste container'. j

The rear edge of the side walls 10 and 11 extends up 2 wardly andrearwardly to form arearwardly projecting portion 17. The upper edges ofthe side walls 10 and- 11 slope forwardly and downwardly as at 18- toform a curved upper edge. Openings 19 and 21 are provided in the forwardportion of the side walls 10 and 11 for receiving the ends of a rod 22which is of a size v to fit within and rotatably support a roll of wallpaper indicated at 23. The rod 22 is secured in place by means of nuts22a. Slidably engaging the rod 22 adjacent opposite ends thereof are apair of disc members 24 and 26 having openings therein for receiving therods 22. The openings are positioned on center, thus causingthe discs toengage a portion of the apparatus and be held against rotation in amanner to be described hereinafter Openings 27 and 28 are provided intheside walls-10 and 11 upwardly and inwardly of the rod 22 forreceiving the ends of a guide rod 29, which is securedin place by meansof nuts 29a. Extending between the side walls 10 and 11 and securedthereto by means of nuts 31 is a rod 32. Slidably engaging the rod 32.is 3.. cylindrical member 33 having a longitudinally extending opening34 therethrough. A substantial portion of the rod 32' adjacent each endthereof is threaded as at. 36. Positioned against the ends of thecylindrical member 33 and surrounding the rod 32, as shown in Fig. 2 arepaper trimmers 37. The trii-nmers are preferably in the form of razorblades. Th'readedly engaging the rod 32 adjacent the trimmers 37 aredisc-shaped spacer washers 38 which are locked in position by means ofadjusting nuts 39. By positioning the trimmers outwardly of the spacerwashers 38, the distance between the trimmers may be increased, thuspermitting wider sheets of paper to be employed. While I show only twospacer washers 38, I contemplate employing the required number of suchwashers to accommodate the cylindrical member to the width of the paperused. The spacer washers 38 are of thesame diameter as the body of thecylindrical mem: ber 33, thus providing a continuous smooth surface forengaging the paper.

Extending between the side walls 10 and 11 inwardly of the cylindricalmember 33 is a rod 41 which is held in place by means of nuts 42. Therods 29 and 41 are positioned so as to engage the paper and hold it incontact with the cylindrical member 33, as shown in Fig. 2. The rod 41is also in position for the upper end of the. trimmer to come in contacttherewith as it tends to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction. Thetrimmer thus acts as a thrust washer to prevent unscrewing of the spacerwashers 38 and nuts 39, thereby maintaining the trimmer in a fixedposition.

Mounted for rotation between the side walls 10 and 11 above the pastecontainer 12 and in suitable hearing members 43 and 44 is a roller 46.Extending between the side walls 10 and 11 adjacent the bottom of thepaste container 12 and within the confines thereof is a rod 47. Passingover the roller 46 and the rod 47 is an endless mesh belt 48 formed of amaterial which holds the required amount of paste to apply an evencoatto the paper and does not stretch or shrink under various operatingconditions. In actual practice, I find that a plastic mesh belt formedof polyvinylidene chlo'- ride, sold under the trade name Saran issatisfactory in every respect. In order for the belt' to hold therequired amount of paste and to prevent telescoping of belt over itselfand to prevent it from rolling up against the end walls of theapparatus, the plastic mesh belt should have from 25 to 45 ends orlineal threads per inch and from 15 to 3'5 ticks per inch on both theface and back thereof.

Mounted for rotation between the rearwardly project ing portions 17 ofthe side walls 10 and 11 on suitable bearing pin members 50 is a roller49. The roller- 49 is cut away as at 51 adjacent the ends thereof toprovide end portions of a diameter less than the central portionthereof. As shown in Fig. 3, the paper 23 projects outwardly of theenlarged central portion of the roller 49 and is spaced from the smallerdiameter end portion thereof, thus preventing paste from being pressedoutwardly of the outer edges of the paper and causing what is commonlycalled backlash. In order to accommodate the roller 49 to receive paperof different widths, the length of the enlarged diameter portion of theroller should be slightly less than the minimum width of the paper to beemployed.

Suitable openings 52 and 53 are provided in the side walls and 11 forreceiving a handle member 54. As shown in Fig. 4, the handle member issubstantially U-shaped and is provided with inwardly projecting members56 and 57 for pivotally engaging the openings 52 and 53. The handlemember 54 is provided with a detachable handle proper indicated at 53which is secured to the base of the U-shaped member. Where it is desiredto apply the paper to the ceiling of a room, a longer handle proper 58is substituted for the short one shown in Fig. 4. Also, a flexiblemember, such as a cord 55, is attached to the handle member when it isdesired to apply paper to a high wall. This is accomplished by loweringthe apparatus to the floor thus permitting the operator to smooth thepaper onto the wall as he moves down a ladder. Suitable brace members 59and 61 conmeet the handle proper and the U-shaped member.

Mounted for rotation on the bearing pins 549 outwardly of the side walls10 and 11 are a pair of rollers in the form of disc members 62 and 6?.As shown in Fig. 3, the disc members 62 and 63 are larger in diameterthan the enlarged diameter portion of the roller 49, thus spacing theroller 49 from the surface to be papered.

Extending between the side walls 1%) and 11 in position to contact theinner surface of the mesh belt 48 and remove excess paste therefrom asit rotates, is a rod 64 which is secured in place by nuts 66. Also, theupper portion of the vertically extending walls 13 and 14 of the pastecontainer extend inwardly and downwardly at substantially 45 angles toform flanges 13a and 14a. The flange 13a bears against the belt 48holding it in contact with the rod 64 thus efiecting a uniform coatingof paste on the belt. The inwardly extending flanges 13a and 14a alsoprevent spillage of the paste.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my improved apparatusfor hanging paper will be readily understood. To insert a roll of paper23, the rod 22 is removed by removing one of the nuts 22a. One of thedisc members 24 or 26 is then removed from the rod 22 and the roll ofpaper inserted thereon. The disc member is replaced on the rod and therod is inserted in the apparatus and held in place by means of the nut22a. The roll of paper 23 and the disc member 24 and 26 are movedlongitudinally along the rod 22 until the paper is m proper alignmentwith the trimmers 37. The sheet of paper passes behind the guide rod 29,around the forward side of the cylindrical member 33 Where it comes incontact with the trimmers 37, thence under the guide rod 41 where itcontacts the belt 48 and passes over the roller 46 therewith. Afterleaving the roller 46 the paper, having a uniform film of paste thereon,passes around and under the roller 49 thence upwardly of the apparatuswhere it is pressed against the surface to be papered by any suitablemeans, such as a brush. As the paper passes over the roller 49 the outeredges thereof are out of contact with the roller due to the fact thatthey are spaced from the cut-away portions 551. Accordingly, the pasteis not pressed outwardly toward the outer edges of the paper, thuspreventing the paste from getting on the outer edge of the paper.

As the paper is removed from the rod 22, the eccentric disc members 24and 26 contact the rod 29 thus limiting rotation thereof and locking thesame in place. While I have shown two trimmers 37 for trimming the paperas it passes over the cylindrical member 33, it will be apparent thatone trimmer may be employed where the wall paper is to be lapped. Thatis to say, the apparatus is adapted to trim one or both sides of thepaper depending upon whether the edges of the paper are to lap or abut.The rods 29 and 41 assure that the paper is held firmly against thecylindrical member 33 as it passes thereover thus providing a smooth andeven cut by the trimmer.

When it is desired to run a wider sheet of paper through the apparatus,the spacer washers 38 and the trimmers are removed. The spacer members38 are then positioned between the trimmer and the cylindrical member 33thus spacing the trimmers further apart. Additional spacer washers 38are employed where it is desired to position the trimmers in position tocut wider sheets of paper.

As the plastic mesh belt passes over the roller 46 and the rod 47, therod 64 and the flange 13a contact the inner and outer surface thereof soas to prevent the paste from building up thereon, thereby controllingthe amount of paste which adheres to the belt.

The disc members 62 and 63 being larger in diameter than the roller 49serve to steady the apparatus against the surface to be papered andprevent the roller 49 from pressing the paper against the surface in amanner to cause the paste to flow toward the outer edges thereof andcause backlash of paste.

When it is desired to apply the wall paper to a ceiling a longer handlemember 58 is employed. The apparatus is then supported by a person whoprecedes a second person who smooths the paper onto the ceiling by anysuitable means. Where the paper is to be applied to a high wall, theflexible member 55 is attached to the handle proper 58 and the apparatusis lowered to the floor, thus enabling the operator to use both hands insmoothing the paper onto the wall as he moves down a ladder.

My improved apparatus is also adapted for use as a pasting device andtrimmer alone. This is particularly desirable when it is desired toapply paste to short strips of paper prior to placing them on thesurface to be papered. Also, where a person does not have a secondperson to precede him in applying the paper to a ceiling, the paper maybe trimmed and paste applied thereto before the paper is applied to thewall in the usual manner. Where the device is to be used for a trimmingand pasting device only, the handle member 54 is clamped to a table orother suitable support. The paper is then pulled back over the top ofthe apparatus. The rollers 49 and 46 are so positioned as to prevent thepaper being removed from coming in contact with the paste as it ispulled across the rollers.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have devised an improvedapparatus for hanging wall paper. By providing improved means forapplying uniform coatings of paste to the paper together with meanspreventing the paste from flowing toward the outer edges thereof, thepaper is delivered to the surface to be papered in clean condition.Also, by providing an improved adjustable trimmer for my apparatus, thepaper is automatically applied to the surface to be papered at therequired width for either abutting or lapping the same. Furthermore, byproviding a mesh belt which applies the required amount of paste to thepaper and does not shrink, stretch or wrinkle under various operatingconditions or telescope upon itself or parts of the apparatus, myapparatus operates substantially trouble free without clogging orapplying excessive or insufficient amounts of paste.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptibleof various changes and modifications without departing from the' spiritthereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall beplaced thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In paper hanging apparatus, laterally spaced side walls, a relativelydeep paste container mounted between said side walls, a rotatable membermounted for rotation between said side walls with a portion thereofextending down into the paste container, means to pass a sheet of wallpaper over and in contact with said rotatable member, and a rollermounted for rotation between said side walls in position to receive thepaper after it has contacted said rotatable member, the end portions ofsaid roller being smaller in diameter than the central portion thereof,whereby the edges of the wall paper overlie and are spaced from said endportions.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 in which the central portion of theroller is slightly less in length than the minimum width of the paper tobe employed, thus accommodating the roller for use with paper of variouswidths.

3. In paper hanging apparatus, laterally spaced side walls, a relativelydeep paste container mounted between said side walls, a rotatable membermounted for rotation between said side Walls with a portion there ofextending down into the paste container, means to pass a sheet of wallpaper over and in contact with said rotatable member, a roller mountedfor rotation between said side walls in position to receive the paperafter it has contacted said rotatable member, the end portions of saidroller being smaller in diameter than the central portion thereofwhereby the edges of the wall paper overlie and are spaced from said endportions, and disc members of a diameter larger than the diameter ofsaid roller and mounted for rotation adjacent each end of said rollerwhereby they contact the surface to be papered and hold said rollerspaced from said surface.

4. In paper hanging apparatus, laterally spaced side walls, a relativelydeep paste container mounted between said side walls, a rollerpositioned above said paste container and rotatably mounted between saidside walls, a paste absorbent mesh belt passing over said roller, beltengaging means adjacent the bottom of the paste container in positionfor the belt to pass slidably around the same, means to pass a sheet ofWall paper over and in contact with said belt, and a second rollermounted for rotation between said side walls in position to receive thepaper after it has contacted said belt, the end portions of said secondroller being smaller in diameter than the central portion thereofwhereby the edges of the paper overlie and are spaced from said endportions, and a substantially U-shaped handle member pivotally connectedto the side walls adjacent the tops thereof.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 in which a flexible member isattached to the handle member for lowering the apparatus alongside ahigh surface to be papered.

6. In paper hanging apparatus, laterally spaced side walls, a relativelydeep paste container mounted between said side walls, a rollerpositioned above said paste container and rotatably mounted between saidside walls, a polyvinylidene chloride mesh belt passing over said rollerand having from 25 to 45 ends to the inch and from 15 to 35 ticks to theinch on both the face and back thereof, belt engaging means adjacent thebottom of the paste container in position for the belt to pass slidablyaround the same, means to pass a sheet of wall paper over and in contactwith said belt, and a second roller mounted for rotation between saidside walls in position to receive the paper after it has contacted saidbelt, the end portions of said second roller being smaller in diameterthan the central portion thereof whereby the edges of the paper overlieand are spaced from said end portions.

7. In paper hanging apparatus, laterally spaced side walls, a relativelydeep paste container mounted between said side walls and havingsubstantially vertically extending walls, a roller positioned above saidpaste container and rotatably mounted between said side walls, a pasteabsorbent mesh belt passing over said roller, belt engaging meansadjacent the bottom of the paste container in position for the belt topass slidably around the same, an elongated member mounted between saidside walls in position to contact the inner surface of said belt toremove excess paste therefrom whereby a uniform coating of paste adheresto the surface thereof, means to pass a sheet of wall paper over and incontact with said belt, and a second roller mounted for rotation betweensaid side walls in position to receive the paper after it has contactedsaid belt, the end portions of said second roller being smaller indiameter than the central portion thereof whereby the edges of the paperoverlie and are spaced from said end portions.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 in which the upper end of thevertically extending wall adjacent the elongated member is turnedinward, whereby it bears against the mesh belt and holds the same incontact with said elongated member.

9. In paper hanging apparatus, laterally spaced side walls, a relativelydeep paste container mounted between said side walls, a rotatable membermounted for rotation between said side walls with a portion thereofextending down into the paste container, an elongated member extendingbetween said side walls and having threaded end portions, a cylindricalmember mounted on said elongated member there being an opening throughsaid cylindrical member for receiving said elongated member, a papertrimmer adjacent at least one end of said cylindrical member, means inthreaded engagement with said elongated member disposed to move intocontact with said trimmer and hold it in a fixed position, means to passa sheet of wall paper over and in contact with said cylindrical memberand said rotatable member a roller mounted for rotation between saidside walls in position to receive the paper after it has contacted saidbelt, the end portions of said roller being smaller in diameter than thecentral portion thereof whereby the edges of the paper overlie and arespaced from said end portions.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 in which the means in threadedengagement with the elongated member and holding the trimmer in a fixedposition comprises a washer of a diameter substantially the same as thatof the cylindrical member, and a nut positioned outwardly of saidwasher.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 in which at least one washer of adiameter substantially the same as that of the cylindrical member ispositioned between the trimmer and said cylindrical member for adjustingthe position of the trimmer.

12. In paper hanging apparatus, laterally spaced side walls, arelatively deep paste container mounted between said side walls, arotatable member mounted for rotation between said side walls with aportion thereof extending down into the paste container, an elongatedmember mounted between said side walls and disposed to receive a roll ofwall paper with a sliding fit, disc-shaped members slidably engagingsaid elongated member adjacent the ends thereof, there being openings insaid disc-shaped members off-set relative to the centers thereof wherebyupon rotation of the disc-shaped members they engage a portion of theapparatus to limit rotation thereof, means passing a sheet of wall paperfrom said elongated member over and into contact with said rotatablemember, and a roller mounted for rotation between said side walls inposition to receive the paper after it has contacted said rotatablemember, the end portions of said roller being smaller in diameter thanthe central portion thereof whereby the edges of the paper overlie andare spaced from said end portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

